ECL · 10-Q · 2026Q2 · Full report

Litigation and Legal Risk

ECOLAB INC. · 2026-08-06 · Importance 40 · Surprise 42

Nalco Company LLC faces more than 5,000 plaintiff claims in Texas multidistrict litigation arising from the November 2019 explosion and fire at TPC Group’s Port Neches, Texas, butadiene plant. Claims include personal injury, property damage, business losses and exemplary damages, and discovery resumed after the MDL stay was lifted in the fourth quarter of 2023. Nalco settled with a portion of plaintiffs in July 2025 and reached an additional settlement in principle with substantially all remaining plaintiffs in July 2026; Ecolab says it will defend remaining claims and expects insurance coverage subject to deductibles.

Key facts

• The company's gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $61.6 million as of June 30, 2026 and $53.9 million as of December 31, 2025. source